Kubernetes version vs EKS platform version

Kubernetes Version: This refers to the actual version of Kubernetes software that you are running on your cluster. It includes the version of the Kubernetes API server, the Kubernetes controller manager, kubelet, kubectl, etc. Kubernetes has its own versioning scheme that is independent of any specific cloud provider. As I know, the Kubernetes community typically releases a new minor version every three months, and each release includes new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements.

EKS Platform Version: This is specific to Amazon EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service), Amazon's managed Kubernetes service. The EKS platform version is essentially Amazon's 'packaging' of Kubernetes, and it includes additional modifications and integrations to make Kubernetes work smoothly on AWS. This version number isn't about the Kubernetes software itself, but about the specific adaptations and configurations that Amazon has made. It might include things like the Amazon VPC CNI plugin for networking, integrations with AWS security and IAM, and other AWS-specific features and configurations.

The EKS platform version is therefore tied to the specific features and capabilities that Amazon provides in their managed Kubernetes service, and it's updated independently of the underlying Kubernetes version. You'll often see that a specific EKS platform version supports several different Kubernetes versions, and when Amazon updates the EKS platform, they will often add support for newer Kubernetes versions.

In conclusion, if you're running Kubernetes on EKS, you actually have to be aware of two version numbers: the Kubernetes version (which dictates the Kubernetes-specific features and capabilities you have), and the EKS platform version (which dictates the AWS-specific features and configurations available to you).